Charitable Partners

Partners in Charity

Rotary has an Local Impact through Annual Festival

The Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival has been proudly partnering with a Charitable Partner since the inception of the festival in 2002. The Charitable Partner solicits financial pledges from dragon boat teams that participate in the festival.

For 15 years, our charitable partner has been the Essentia Foundation who has raised $909,607 through donations from dragon boat paddlers. This has enabled Essentia to provide 3,638 patients and families with the following type of support

Cancer Survivorship Symposium support

Accessible Online Education Tools for Patients

Integrative Health and Therapies: including the addition of therapeutic options and complementary therapies such as meditation, stress reduction techniques, aromatherapy, massage, guided imagery

Since the inception of the festival, the sponsoring Rotary Clubs have raised over $670,000 (after expenses) from the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival through team registration fees, corporate sponsorship and income from vendors and beverage sales. All of these funds have been donated to charitable organizations in Duluth, Superior and to international projects in third world countries.

While the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival is very proud of these accomplishments, in 2019 the festival will be taking a different focus. The focus will be on programs that homeless families and youth in the Twin Ports, particularly those programs that bring people out of homelessness into a home, employment and productive life style.

In 2020, the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival will be partnering with the Life House based in Duluth, the Harbor House based in Superior and Habitat for Humanity which serves both cities.

Our Partners

Habitat for Humanity

Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity builds strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter programs that span the generations. Home Builds partners with lower-income community members who aspire to home ownership and better futures for their children. Learn More

Harbor House

Harbor House Crisis Shelters mission is to provide hospitable shelter, transitional living and services for homeless women and families. Harbor House Crisis Shelters is committed to ending homelessness by providing direct services for homeless single women and families.Learn More

Life House

Incorporated in 1991, Life House has provided homeless and street youth ages 14-24 with unconditional support, transitional housing, and a safe alternative to the streets for 25 years. Life House serves approximately 750 un-duplicated youth and additionally their young children annually.Learn More